"If you think that happiness comes from outside, getting something you don't now have," Dr. Andrew Weil says, "you're bound to be disappointed." As director for the Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona, Weil is a leader in bringing a greater understanding of the mind-body-spirit connection to western medical institutions, and he knows there are few things more intrinsic to the health of that connection than happiness, the true and lasting kind that comes from deep serenity unaffected by external gains and losses. For The Spontaneous Happiness Prescription Weil collects an array of meditation and breathing practices as well as practical advice on diet, exercise, and workplace behavior that when brought into daily practice works immediate noticeable wonders as far as reaching a state of emotional wellness.

In the first disc Dr. Weil focuses on the changes in diet, exercise, and well-being, sensory experience, and the importance of social contact. What do you use as a substitute for genuine human interaction? Weil notes that "people in primitive societies enjoy much better mental health; clearly the epidemic of depression correlates with the modern lifestyle, one of the most significant differences is increased social isolation," he notes. Things like air-conditioning and social media make it "easier and easier to live in isolation," and this brings side effects of stress, depression, and alienation. Getting back into the groove takes patience and self-forgiveness. It's almost humiliating to admit we need socialization with those around us, but Dr. Weil's gentle assurance can help with getting over that hurdle.

The second disc goes into special breathing techniques and meditations to increase positive mental intention, mindfulness, and lovingkindness, as well as laughter yoga, knee-holding techniques, and the old “fake it til you make it” practice. To do this he turns the mic over to several professionals in the guided meditation movement: Dr. Steven Gurgevitch conducts a meditation for positive mental intention; Sharon Sazlberg conducts the mindfulness and lovingkindness meditations; Madan Kataria for laughter yoga practice.

The CD set includes a workbook, "My Spontaneous Happiness Prescription Form," where you can write goals for diet, sensual and social interactions, even smells, tastes, and textures. It's also a great introduction to an array of techniques to lift the listener's happiness. Just by incorporating a few of the massive amount of suggestions, meditations, and information Dr. Andrew Weil provides will show instant results in happiness levels. As increased endorphins make one open to even more of the material, other techniques from the discs become easier to incorporate. Most important will be a sense of spontaneous joy that's independent of external factors like money or success. Dr. Weil quotes Lao Tzu: "He who contains content remains content." Let the prescription be filled.